Assessing the impact of a pharmacy administration and leadership short course targeting new hospital pharmacy leaders.

Abstract

Introduction: In today's increasingly complex healthcare landscape, pharmacy administrators and leaders play a crucial role in ensuring quality patient care and organisational success. However, many pharmacists promoted to these positions lack formal training in administration and leadership, resulting in gaps in knowledge, skills, and confidence. While some enhance their skills through independent learning, these avenues may not provide comprehensive training. Recognising this need, the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy developed a Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (PAL) Short Course for pharmacy leaders at Monash Health (Melbourne, Australia). This study assesses the viability and impact of the programme, focusing on changes in participants' confidence levels, skill acquisition, and perceived value. Method(s): The 12-module PAL Short Course was launched in November 2023 for 23 pharmacy leaders at Monash Health. The modules included two in-person workshops at the start and end of the programme, with remaining sessions conducted via live video conferencing over six months. A pre- and post-course survey assessed demographics, perceived confidence in pharmacy administration and leadership skills, prior business education, and job performance confidence. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were conducted to analyse the data. Result(s): Findings indicate a clear need for additional training options in PAL for pharmacists, with 52% of participants reporting no formal, informal, or self-education related to PAL topics. Post-course, mean confidence levels significantly increased for all 16 PAL tasks (p < 0.05). With a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 52, participants are highly likely to recommend this course to colleagues, suggesting that it effectively meets the PAL training needs of Monash Health pharmacy leaders and satisfaction with the learning format. Conclusion(s): The PAL Short Course positively impacted participants' perceived confidence, effectively addressing their professional development needs. Continued investment in similar training initiatives is essential for advancing the pharmacy profession and promoting lifelong learning.